| dc.description.abstract | This paper is one of a series resulting from institutional analysis
of photovoltaic (PV) acceptance. It is the summary report on a study of
several residential projects which are part of the DOE-HUD Solar Heating
and Cooling Demonstration Program. Other papers in this series look in
detail at aspects of the residential institutional arena, and more fully
present the cases. The study of solar thermal applications in housing
provides useful guidance in structuring programs for PV acceptance in the
residential sector. The five cases illustrate one or more institutional
forces which influence the acceptance of solar energy in housing. The
cases involve residential developments of various sorts, located in
Massachusetts, Maryland, Indiana, New Mexico and California. It is
determined that each actor in the residential sector has different, and
complex motivations for considering, using and continuing to use an
innovation such as solar energy. The choices of any given actor are a
function of the type, source, density and continuity of information
exchanges found within the institutional arena in which he/she operates.
Finally, the probability of rate and extent of innovation acceptance will
be increased to the degree that the innovation is made comprehensible. | en |
